Sleep apnea decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to be the primary cause of her bilateral knee strain and obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The Veteran is requested to provide a new opinion from an examiner.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD and tension headaches due to an inadequate VA medical opinion. The RO is instructed to secure a new addendum medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective April 17, 2023. Service connection for OSA was also granted with an effective date of April 17, 2023.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral strains, left elbow strain, right elbow strain, and left shoulder impingement are inadequate. The Board also notes that there is no evidence of service connection for hypertension in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea with pulmonary embolism is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis of both kidneys is currently rated at 10 percent. The condition has not required invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times per year.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the December 16, 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion was within the limits specified for a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tension/migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and OSA secondary to the appellant's service-connected bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and left foot disabilities.,An initial rating and effective date will be assigned by the AOJ for these newly service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, left and right ankle strain, and right elbow lateral epicondylitis are found to have caused or aggravated his current obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Tension Headaches, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability has been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for chronic allergic rhinitis effective October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 10, 2021, but no earlier, for a 40 percent initial rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis has been granted. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of the formal claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back and right knee disabilities due to improper filing deadlines.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of sleep apnea, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last rating decision supports a readjudication of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's lay statements and VA examination reports indicate symptoms of snoring, grunting, and moaning during service, as well as fatigue after service. However, no medical opinion has been provided regarding whether these symptoms are related to active service.